Overwhelming Majority of Parties Back Rethink of WINZ Shared Care Parenting Laws.
Press release- Fifty Fifty Campaign, 16 September 2014
National is the only political party willing to defend the way WINZ treats separated parents who share their kids care,
according to an election guide released today at www.fiftyfifty.org.nz
Under existing benefit law, if both parents take equal care of a 1 year old, and both apply for benefit support, one
parent is offered the same support and workseeking exemptions as a fulltime sole parent until that child is 14. The
other parent is placed on a temporary benefit at the single adult rate, and is legally obliged to seek fulltime work on
top of their parenting responsibilities.
In recent weeks, New Zealand First and Labour have both come out in favour of a review of this law, joining The Greens,
Conservatives, ACT, United Future and Maori Parties, who all support a rethink.
“Single parents caring for toddlers for half the week are being told to seek fulltime work, so it’s not too surprising
that the majority of parties see the need for a change.” Said Fifty Fifty campaign organiser Duncan Eddy.
“Shared care is a great outcome for kids whose parents split up, but the WINZ law is a poor fit. It’s time for a fairer
law that better reflects modern family structures.’
see.www.fiftyfifty.org.nz to see where they stand.